Lowestoft Town

Lowestoft Town FC is a non-league football club that was formed in 1887 following the merger of Kirkley FC and East Suffolk FC. The club is based in the port and seaside resort of Lowestoft, which is located 110 miles northeast of London.

In 1990, the club changed its title to Lowestoft Town FC, joining the Norfolk & Suffolk League as founder members in 1897. Town went on to become champions of that competition in 1897-98 and 1898-99.

In 1899-00, the team reached the final of the FA Amateur Cup before losing the final 5-1 against Bishop Auckland at Leicester. Further Norfolk & Suffolk League titles followed in 1900-01, 1901-02, 1902-03, and 1903-04, as well as reaching the Amateur Cup semi-final in 1903.

Lowestoft reached the first round of the FA Cup in 1926-26, where they went down 10-1 at Vicarage Road to Watford. Two more championships arrived at Crown Meadow in 1928-29 and 1930-31 before the club switched to the Eastern Counties League after merging with another incarnation of Kirkley FC.

The Eastern Counties League title was shared with Harwich & Parkeston in their debut season before winning it outright in 1937-38. The following season saw a second appearance in the first round of the FA Cup, where they were defeated 6-0 away to Swindon Town.

A golden period arrived at the club following the decision to turn semi-professional in 1962, as the Eastern Counties League was won in 1964-65, 1965-66, and 1966-67, with Town also reaching the FA Cup first round before bowing out 2-1 at Brisbane Road to Orient.

The team reached the same stage the following season to play Watford, who left Crown Meadow with a 1-0 victory. Consolation came with a fourth consecutive league title. Lowestoft went on to also win the league in 1969-70 and 1970-71.

A couple of runners-up berths followed before the 'Trawler Boys’ collected the league and League Cup double in 1977-78, which coincided with another FA Cup first round appearance, which finished in a 2-0 home defeat to Cambridge United.

In 1980, a nineteen-year-old local lad signed for the club, who was to figure prominently in the affairs of the club for the next thirty-plus years. Micky Chapman soon became a favourite with his all-action style and eye for the goal, before becoming player-manager in 1994.

Lowestoft continued to finish in the top half of the Eastern Counties League before winning their eleventh title in 2005-05. The 2007-08 season would see the team go on a magnificent FA Vase run all the way to Wembley under joint-managers Chapman and Ady Gallagher.

Victories against Desborough Town, Rye United, Blackstones, Dunston Federation, Concord Rangers, and Whitley Bay led to Town taking on Kirkham & Wesham, the club that would later become AFC Fylde, who won the match 2-1.

The following season saw Lowestoft reach the Vase semi-final, where they were knocked out by Whitley Bay. The season ended with the side winning the Eastern Counties League and being promoted to Division One North of the Isthmian League.

The 2009-10 debut season in new surroundings also saw another FA Cup first round appearance, with Town losing out 1-0 away to Wrexham, before being promoted to the Premier Division after winning the Division One North title.

Lowestoft’s momentum continued as they reached the play-offs in 2010-11, defeating Bury Town before losing 4-3 away to Tonbridge Angels in the final. Town competed again in the 2011-12 play-offs; this time beating Wealdstone before losing the final away to AFC Hornchurch.

The 2012-13 campaign saw Lowestoft finish as Premier Division runners-up; from where they defeated East Thurrock United before going down 2-1 at the Crown Meadow to Concord Rangers in the final of the play-offs.

The club and team were not to be denied. In 2013-14, they took part in the playoffs once more, coming away victorious from Bognor Regis Town before defeating AFC Hornchurch 3-0 at home to seal promotion to Conference North.

Despite having to put up with prohibitive travel distances, the team finished their debut season in sixteenth position, at which point the club said farewell to retiring club legend Micky Chapman.

After 32 years, 480 first team appearances, 193 goals, 1640 games and 147,600 plus minutes as a player, player/manager and then manager during that time, it was the end of an era for a figure who will forever be etched in the history of Lowestoft Town FC.

The league was retitled the National League North for the following season, with Lowestoft being relegated in 2015-16 to return to the Isthmian League Premier Division. A mid-table finish was completed in the 2016-17 campaign.

Chapman remained in the background assisting new boss Ady Gallagher, who was replaced by Dale Brooks, who oversaw a narrow scrape with relegation. Town were placed in the Premier Division Central of the Southern League in 2018-19 with Jamie Godbold appointed as manager.

A couple of abandoned seasons were followed by relegation to the North Division of the Isthmian League. A semifinal defeat in the playoffs to Heybridge Swifts in 2022-23 was followed by the lifting of the title twelve months later. Lowestoft went back to their former Southern League division.

Andy Reynolds arrived as the new manager in October 2024, with his side going back down to the Isthmian League North Division a few months later. Rob Eagle was appointed as manager in May 2026 after a spell as caretaker boss.

Lowestoft Town will play in the Isthmian League North Division in the 2026-27 season.

My visit

Lowestoft Town 0 Harlow Town 1 (Saturday 16th September 2017) FA Cup Second Qualifying Round (att: 395)

As soon as the replays were concluded in the following round, I set about choosing my location for the next stage of the world’s greatest football knockout competition. A trip to Scarborough was far too expensive.

Hendon were knocked out in their replay away to Wingate & Finchley, so I decided to look for a venue that was affordable and ideally, one I’d never previously visited. Some calculations on the Trainline App threw up Lowestoft. While it was quite a long journey, the day return ticket was only £20.

It was my day off after working the late shift, so I didn’t get a fantastically long sleep. I headed to Liverpool Street for a bite to eat before settling into the comfortable East Anglia Trains service to Norwich, where I changed for the thirty-minute ride to the coast.

The weather was behaving as we passed some attractive little villages on the Norfolk Broads before reaching the destination. It was only 11.30am, so I decided a walk over the bridge to visit the home of Kirkley & Pakefield FC was in order. It can be viewed here.

Arriving back in town, wet but well-exercised, I double-checked my App to confirm my pre-match destination. The town was a bit of a mixture. South of the river and harbour was touristy and old-fashioned. The north was more industrial and residential, with the main shopping area being located around London Road North.

I walked up the main street and got the impression that the town was not very prosperous. Like many other ports in the UK, Lowestoft had suffered from the decline in the fishing industry and other associated trades around the harbour.

The road gradually went uphill and changed to High Street around the old market area. I found the Triangle Tavern and immediately felt at home in the excellent old school pub, which was the tap for the Green Jack Brewery.

The pleasant young lady behind the bar gave me small tasters of lots of the eight beers on hand pump. All were in top condition and very reasonably priced. An old boy got chatting and sat with me as I sampled a fine pint of session strength Canary Pale Ale.

I really enjoy meeting people and having a chat, and have no objection to learning from locals and older people, but this fella really did go on. I learned the history of the brewery, relationship fallouts, all about the pubs of Norwich, and the history of beer in the area.

It made me drink faster if nothing else, as new punters kept coming in and also feeling the benefit of this gent’s knowledge. Meanwhile, I enjoyed a beautiful pint of Orange Wheat Beer and the Rising Sun Pale Ale before finishing off with the belting Lurcher Stout.

The back room in the pub had a pool table, a decent juke box, and some real characters. In hindsight, that would have been a bit more fun, but on the other hand, the old fella had been most helpful and was no doubt glad of the chat.

The walk to the ground took less than ten minutes before I arrived outside. I was taking a couple of snaps when an eccentric local proclaimed, “Ahh, you’ve come to see the famous Crown Meadow.” He wasn’t on his own in terms of character.

Admission was £11, with the programme a couple of quid extra. I needed a bite to eat, so the proper sausage hot dog, tea, and a slice of sweet mincemeat tart were just the ticket for £2.60. The timing was perfect as the teams entered the pitch, and I tucked in.

The Amber Dew Events Stadium, as Crown Meadow had been retitled in a sponsorship deal, was a proper non-league town centre ground. The far goal had a small cover behind it, with open space on either side, and additional space behind it for further works if ever required. The opposite end was a thin strip of open, standing, hemmed in by housing.

The Main Stand was a raised seating tier set back from the pitch, with a covered standing area alongside. The clubhouse stood next to the turnstiles with a cabin selling souvenirs in front of it. A brick changing room and office block stood on the other side of the seats.

The final side was an open strip of standing with the substitute benches and a tall, thin building, similar to those used for bird watching, which provided protection for those filming and commentating on the match.

As usual, I wandered about so I could take in the match from different angles while I took my photos. It immediately became apparent that the game was unlikely to be a classic, but it was full of passion as both clubs searched for a win to progress in the competition, as well as collecting some valuable prize money.

The hosts had the majority of the opening exchanges but failed to carve out any clear-cut chances before the visiting Hawks got into the game and had an effort from Craig Pope saved by Trawler Boys keeper Ben Dudzinski.

Lowestoft should really have gone into the lead after half an hour when Jake Reed found Callum White with a fine cross, but the forward fired over from an acute angle. A couple of minutes later, the fractious encounter reached a boiling point.

Harlow winger Nigel Neita put in a late challenge on White, which referee Paul Burnham decided was worthy of a straight red card once the ensuing melee had calmed down, as all players got involved in pushing and shoving by the benches.

Some middle aged local fans of both sexes in the side covered standing; who could definitely be labelled as ‘characters’, classily came out with a chorus of “You Dirty Pikey Bastards” in the direction of the Essex visitors, without the slightest hint of irony.

The ten men of Harlow pushed forward, with Jared Small having a shot going wide and Alex Read seeing his effort saved. It was abundantly clear that goals were going to be at a premium as the half came to an end.

At the interval, I had a look inside the busy clubhouse, but I decided against another pint. I’d struggled enough to keep my concentration and stay awake with my lack of sleep and a fine lunchtime drink. I opted for Bovril instead.

I decided to take a seat at the front of the Main Stand for the second half, as the good news that Scarborough had gone ahead in their tie came through. Lowestoft again looked to take the lead with Reed firing wide.

The rain had returned, and the skiddy pitch didn’t help the quality on show. Travis Cole saw a header tipped over the bar by Hawks custodian Ben McNamara before the visitors took the lead as Tommie Fagg scored with a fine shot from twenty yards.

Lowestoft poured forward, trying to make their one-man advantage count. Harvey Hodd was put through, but he failed to beat McNamara. Rory McAuley then headed over the bar, before McNamara kept out Ross Jarvis.

As the game entered injury time, Cole lost his composure and let his frustrations boil over as he was sent off for a late challenge on McNamara. A minute or two later, the Harlow fans celebrated, firing off their air raid sirens in customary fashion.

It just wasn’t to be for Lowestoft. They hadn’t played well enough, and Harlow had defended with determination. Neither side wanted to give way in the physical stakes, which led to a poor spectacle.

On leaving the ground, I followed the recommendation of the bloke in the Triangle Tavern and wandered through the terraced streets to find the vibrant Stanford Arms. Some of those in the previous pub had made their way round and looked like they’d had a good sample!

My pint of pale ale was fine, if a little on the watery side for my palate. The award-winning boozer was busy for a Saturday tea, and had twelve ales on offer. Sadly, I didn’t have time to hang around.

I continued downhill towards the station. I couldn’t decide whether the house walls were especially thin in the town, or people shouted a lot. It was fair to say that the area had not suffered from gentrification.

Once again, the tip from the Triangle fella turned out to be bang on, as the fish and chips at the Dolphin takeaway were excellent, especially for a lover of crispy chips and batter. I enjoyed my meal on the train towards Ipswich.

The journey took ninety minutes, not that I knew much about it. I was in the land of nod until we arrived, and I had to change trains to the London service. I got home in time to see the finale of the England v West Indies T20 cricket before bed.

It had been a good day out, even if the match had disappointed. I know it would have been better than sitting in the cold at the cricket in the bitter cold of Chester-le-Street at 10.15 at night!

Winsford United

Winsford United FC is a non-league club from the town of the same name, which is located in Mid-Cheshire. ‘The Blues’ were formed in 1883 as Over Wanderers FC and initially played in the Welsh Combination Football League.

The team played at the Bean Latham Playing Field, which would later become Barton Stadium, and soon changed their name to Winsford United, as they joined a local competition, The Combination, for the 1902-03 season.

The club folded due to excessive spending, but re-formed around 1914 under a committee led by Mr. R. G. Barton once World War I was over. United became founder members of the Cheshire County League in 1919-20, going on to be crowned champions in 1920-21.

For several decades, the club continued its membership in the Cheshire County League, with the team finishing no higher than third place. The mid-1970s were to see the beginning of a successful little period, starting with a league runners-up position in 1974-75.

The 1975-76 campaign was one of relative success in the FA Cup as the first round was reached for the first ever time following victories against New Brighton, Witton Albion, Chorley, and then Telford United after a replay.

Winsford were paired with an away tie at London Road against Peterborough United, which ended in a 3-1 defeat. The season ended with a second Cheshire County League title being delivered to Barton Stadium.

In 1977-78, wins against Northwich Victoria, Slough Town, and Bangor City took United to the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy, where they went out 4-2 away to Altrincham. The team gave future Welsh international and Everton legend Neville Southall his senior debut.

Winsford became a founder member of the North West Counties League in 1982-83, where they were given a position in Division One. Consistent high finishes led to the club becoming members of Division One of the Northern Premier League when it was extended in 1987-88.

Promotion to the Premier Division followed in 1991-92 before finishing as Northern Premier League runners-up the following season. The campaign also saw United reach the first round of the FA Cup, at which stage they went out 5-2 at the Racecourse Ground against Wrexham.

Manager Mike McKenzie moved on to local rivals Witton Albion, with many of the players following. In 1997-98, Winsford battled all the way from the FA Cup first qualifying round to the first round proper before going out 2-1 away to Chester City.

The team began to descend in the final league table before being relegated to Division One in 1999-00. The slide continued as the Blues went down for a second successive season to re-enter the North West Counties League.

At the end of the 2002-03 season, the team was demoted to Division Two of the league. The Division Two title was secured in 2006-07 under manager Joe Gibiliru, who then led the side to a second successive promotion as Winsford headed to the Premier Division of the North West Counties League.

Gibiliru departed in the summer of 2009 to be replaced by Terry Murphy and then Mike Alcock, who lasted just over a month before Tony Ledwards took over as manager. Ledwards lasted until March 2010 before joint managers Mike Alcock and Dave Twite helped to stave off relegation.

Chris Willcock arrived as the new manager at Barton Stadium during the summer break of 2010, where he remained in charge until January 2011, when his assistant, Ian Street, took over, remaining in place until June 2012, when he departed and was replaced by Lloyd Morrison.

Morrison took the team to a fifth-place finish in 2012-13 before he departed to take the manager job at Mossley. Eddie Haslam was appointed as the new team boss at Winsford before being replaced by Rob Byrne in December 2013.

Newly formed 1874 Northwich became tenants at Barton Stadium from the 2013-14 campaign before Byrne resigned in November 2015, to be replaced by player-manager Lee Duckworth, who led the team to two mid-table finishes. Winsford were relegated to Division One South of the NWCL in 2022-23.

Duxbury remained in the post until March 2024, when the combination of Dom Johnson and Dean Jones came in with United finishing the 2023-24 season in seventeenth place. The Blues won their league title in 2024-25 and were promoted to the Premier Division of the Midland Football League.

The 2025-26 season ended in a semi-final playoff defeat to 1874 Northwich.

Winsford United FC will play in the Midland Football League Premier Division in the 2026-27 season.

My visit

1874 Northwich 1 Congleton Town 1 after extra time (Sunday 25th September 2017) FA Vase Second Qualifying Round (att: 313)

To read about my day out to the Barton Stadium and to see additional photos, please click here.

Northwich Victoria

Northwich Victoria FC is a non-league football club from the Cheshire town of the same name, who are accepted to have been formed in 1874 by Charles James Hughes and James Heyworth; originally playing both association and rugby football in early challenge matches.

The club's first competitive football came in the Welsh Cup, where they finished as runners-up to Druids in 1881-82 and then as beaten finalists once again in 1888-89 against Bangor, with both finals taking place at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground.

The 1883-84 season saw the club reach the last eight of the FA Cup, where they were eliminated 9-1 by Blackburn Olympic. The Vics lifted the first Cheshire Football Association Challenge Cup in 1880 and went on to retain the trophy for the next five years. The trophy was awarded to the club.

The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

In 1890, the club became a founder member of the local Combination league before amalgamating with Hartford and Davenham United. The Cheshire Challenge Cup, which had been awarded to the club for their feats, was given to the Brunner Public Library in the town following the merger.

Vics progressed and became founder members of League Division Two, and turned professional at their Drill Field home. Future Manchester United, Manchester City, and Wales superstar Billy Meredith was signed from Chirk as the team held Woolwich Arsenal at Drill Field, as well as defeating Newcastle United 5-3, with Meredith netting a hat-trick.

The financial burden was too much for Northwich, who resigned from the League after the 1893-94 campaign. The season also saw Vics reach the second round of the FA Cup, where they went out at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers. Northwich returned to The Combination before entering the newly formed Cheshire League in 1898, where they remained for two seasons. 

The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

Victoria joined the Manchester League for the 1900-01 season, going on to be crowned league champions in 1902-03. The club changed leagues to join the Lancashire Combination in 1912-13, where they won promotion from Division Two at the first attempt. Northwich Victoria became a founder member of the Cheshire County League in 1919.

The Vics finished as Cheshire County League runners-up in 1947-48 before the team reached the FA Cup first round in 1955-56 before losing out to Boston United, and then becoming league champions in 1956-57 under manager Jack Boothway. In 1961-62, Northwich once again reached the first round of the FA Cup, going out 1-0 to Southport at Haig Avenue. 

The club continued to ply their trade in the Cheshire County League before becoming founder members of the Northern Premier League in 1968-69. The team generally weighed in with top-half finishes, but came close to lifting the title in 1976-77 under manager Paul Ogden, when the team ended as runners-up to Boston United on goal difference. 

The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

However, the fans had plenty to cheer about in the FA Cup. Wins against Nantwich Town, Witton Albion, Rhyl, and Burton Albion propelled Vics into the first round. Rochdale were dispatched in a second replay at Maine Road before Peterborough United, and then Watford were defeated at Drill Field.

The fourth round ‘home’ tie was switched to Manchester City’s Maine Road to accommodate a crowd of 29,000 who saw Oldham Athletic end the heroic run with a 3-1 victory. Northwich Victoria became founder members of the Alliance Premier League, which would later be retitled as the Football Conference and then National League, for the 1979-80 season. 

Vics reached the second round of the FA Cup, losing out to Wigan Athletic in a replay at Springfield Park. In 1980-81, another first-round FA Cup appearance ended in defeat in a replay at Leeds Road to Huddersfield Town. The following campaign saw a semi-final appearance in the FA Trophy, where Enfield ended dreams of a trip to Wembley under the leadership of John King.

The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

The 1982-83 season was to be memorable in cup competition. In the FA Cup, a first-round win against Chester in a home replay led to a second-round tie at The Old Show Ground, which Scunthorpe United won 2-1. In the FA Trophy, wins against Kidderminster Harriers, Croydon, Bangor City, Blyth Spartans, and Dagenham took Vics all the way to Wembley. 

This time they ended up as runners-up following a 2-1 defeat to Telford United. However, the club was determined to lift the famous trophy. Victories in the following season over Boston United, Aylesbury United, Dulwich Hamlet, Barnet, and Marine set up a final against Bangor City. 

The Wembley encounter ended 1-1, but Northwich won the replay 2-1 at the Victoria Ground, Stoke. King departed to take over at Tranmere Rovers. Terry Murphy took the team to an FA Cup second round appearance against Wigan Athletic after Crewe Alexandra had been defeated at the previous stage.

Making way for the new Dane Bank Stand at The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

Former England internationals Mike Pejic and then Stuart Pearson were the next managers of the club. Under Pearson, the club was hit with player unavailability for the match against leaders Maidstone United, with only eight to pick from. The manager wanted to take to the field short-handed, but three supporters were signed on emergency forms to make up the numbers. 

One of whom had already had a couple of pints and a pie. Vics somehow drew the game 1-1 with another international, Gordon Hill, in the team. Cliff Roberts arrived to take over team affairs in 1987, with Northwich defeating Colwyn Bay before losing to Blackpool at Drill Field in the second round of the FA Cup in 1987-88. 

The following campaign saw the side reach the same stage. Tranmere Rovers won the second round tie in front of the Vics' home faithful. Another first-round tie followed in 1989-90 against Darlington before Martin Dobson and then Sammy McIlroy took over the manager’s role. 

John Williams was the next incumbent of the position in 1993, with his side reaching the first round of the FA Cup in 1994-94, where they played Mansfield Town. Brian Kettle had taken over when Vics were defeated in the Cup first round to Scunthorpe United in 1995-96 and again at the same stage against Walsall the following season.

The old Dane Bank Side at The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

Former player Phil Wilson was appointed as manager in 1996 as Northwich reached Wembley once again for another FA Trophy Final, which ended in a 3-1 defeat to local rivals Macclesfield Town. Wilson’s team went out in the FA Cup first round to Chesterfield in 1997-98, while the club looked to sell Drill Field despite the recent erection of the large Dane Bank Stand. 

It was claimed that the famous old ground struggled to comply with modern requirements.

Wilson was replaced by Mark Gardiner, who, in turn, departed for the arrival of Keith Alexander, who steered the club to a second round replay defeat at Leyton Orient in the FA Cup after previously disposing of Bury.

Demolition begins at The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

Alexander departed to return to Lincoln City as Director of Football as Northern Irish international Jimmy Quinn took over; while the club left their historic home in 2002 to move into the Wincham Park ground of cross-town rivals Witton Albion, while a new stadium was built nearby to Albion’s home, a couple of miles out of town and on an industrial estate.

Money became a real issue at Victoria as they struggled to complete the over-ambitious new stadium, which was dependent on a bar and restaurant to fund the club going forward. Steve Davis and Alvin McDonald had short reigns in the manager's seat before former Aston Villa star Shaun Teale took over.

Northwich Victoria FC was sold to Manchester nightclub owner Mike Connett after the club entered into Administration, as Steve Burr became manager in 2004 after the team had been reprieved of relegation because of financial troubles at other clubs a few months earlier.

The club took voluntary relegation to Conference North at the end of the 2004-05 season, thus avoiding further penalties to ascertain their financial situation. The newly titled Victoria Stadium was completed and opened, including the old Dane Bank Stand from Drill Field.

Demolition of The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

Burr led the team to the Conference North title in 2005-06, as well as reaching the third round of the FA Cup following wins in the ‘proper’ rounds over Morecambe and Woking. The run ended with a 2-0 defeat at The Stadium of Light against Sunderland. Burr departed to be replaced by Neil Redfearn as the club's future was once again put in doubt because of an unpaid tax bill. 

Connett sold the club to another ‘businessman’, Jim Rushe, while the Victoria Stadium came under the ownership of Connett’s real estate company, Beaconet Ltd. Rushe promised fans that the sale of the stadium back to the club was imminent, as Paul Warhurst and then Dino Maamria were the latest appointments in the role of manager, as the conveyor belt continued to roll.

Brighton & Hove Albion hammered Vics at Withdean Stadium in the FA Cup first round in 2006-07, before Oxford United ended the Cup run at the same stage the following season. Mike Marsh and then Steve King became the next managerial appointees as Vics were relegated once again.

The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

Andy Preece was installed as player-manager with the club competing in Conference North while entering Administration for a second time with £500,000 of outstanding bills. Only an appeal to the authorities saves the club from further demotion to the Northern Premier League. Preece’s side battled gamely and defeated Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup at Victoria Stadium before going out 3-1 at home to Lincoln City in round two. 

The team ended the season in a mid-table finish but were relegated to the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League. During this period, Connett removed safety equipment from Victoria Stadium, leaving Northwich to have to use Altrincham’s Moss Lane for a couple of fixtures, while the FA withheld the TV and FA Cup prizemoney from the previous year.

Preece stabilised on the field matters before departing with his managerial team to take over similar roles at Airbus UK in January 2012, with Paul Simpson and then Martin Foyle taking over as team manager.

My drawing of the Drill Field, with several older Vics' playing kits.
Click on the image for an enlarged version.

Northwich were served with an eviction notice to leave the Victoria Stadium, as a buyer, later to be revealed as the chemical manufacturer Thor Specialities Ltd, had bought the site from the receivers following Connett’s bankruptcy. A large portion of the club's supporters began to become extremely upset. The team ended up in second place after the 2011-12 campaign but were refused entry into the play-offs. 

The Northern Premier League expelled the club before the FA ruled the punishment too excessive and placed them in Division One South. Andy Mutch was appointed as the new manager as the club decamped to play their home games forty miles south at the Marston Road home of Stafford Rangers. 

Many fans, including those belonging to the Northwich Victoria Supporters Trust, boycotted games in total dismay. Mutch was replaced by Lee Ashcroft in December 2012 as gates plummeted, with only 86 spectators attending the ‘home’ defeat to Stamford AFC. At the end of the season, the club was moved to Division One North following another change of home ground.

Valley Road, Flixton

Rushe had bought the lease of Valley Road, the old home of Flixton FC, on the outskirts of Manchester. Vics were given permission to move in after work had just about brought it up to the required standard. Meanwhile, disenfranchised supporters belonging to the Supporters Trust voted to start their own separate club at a meeting in November 2012. 

1874 Northwich were accepted into the North West Counties League for the 2013-14 season, and can be read about here. Manager Ashcroft was given a ten-match stadium ban for inappropriate behaviour in December 2013 and was replaced by Jim Gannon. Vics were actually enjoying some fortune on the pitch, if not off it, as new signings arrived at the club.

Chairman Jim Rushe was banned from the club after failing the FA’s owners and directors test, with his son Martin becoming the club's sole shareholder. The 2014-15 season saw Northwich finish in fourth place before losing in the semi-final of the play-offs away to Bamber Bridge. 

Valley Road, Flixton

The club agreed a three-year ground share deal as tenants to Witton Albion at Wicham Park once again. The 2015-16 season saw Victoria go on a fine FA Cup run to the first round proper, where Boreham Wood were defeated after a replay. In the second round, the team was leading 2-0 in the closing stages away to Northampton Town before collapsing to a 3-1 defeat.

Gannon’s side continued to perform in the league and finished in third place to qualify for the playoffs. A semi-final win against Glossop North End saw the club ninety minutes from promotion, but they missed out after a defeat away to Spennymoor Town.

Vics were transferred back to Division One South before Gannon departed in January 2016 to take over his previous role at Stockport County, to be replaced by Adam Lakeland. The new manager was hindered by off-field complications, low support, and another financial crisis.

The Victoria Stadium, pic Andy Dakin

Former owner Jim Rushe was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court in June 2016 for his role in a £5M cocaine supply plot. Martin Rushe remained at the club, with his shares being later handed over to the supporters. Northwich finished bottom of the table in 2016-17 and were relegated to the North West Counties League as the club was deducted ten points for entering Administration for a third time. 

Lakeland departed to be replaced by Paul Moore. The sharing agreement with Witton was ended as Vics moved in as tenants to neighbours Barnton FC at their Townfield ground, while the club was fortunate to be placed in the Premier Division at the NWCFL AGM following a club vote regarding their financial status.

The actual ownership of the club was still not clear, as the club claimed that it was a fan-owned club. A dubious appeal that was to secure the future of the club raised enough finances to keep them going.

The Dane Bank Stand reassembled at The Victoria Stadium; pic Andy Dakin

Moore left the club in September 2017 after apparently using personal funding to assist, with Steve Wilkes arriving from Padiham in his place. After a season at Barnton, the club once again became tenants of Witton Albion, finishing in fourth place in the table. Two seasons were lost to the worldwide pandemic before things got back to something near normal. 

Vics finished fifth in 2021-22, which was replicated twelve months later. However, owing to the restructuring of the non-league divisions, the club was placed in the Midland League. Manager Wilkes departed to be replaced by Steve Pickup, who was succeeded by Matt Barnes in March 2024 as the side struggled in their new environment. 

The season had also seen Vics depart Wincham Park in November to become tenants of Winsford United at Barnton Stadium. The irony of the move was not lost on fans of rival club 1874 Northwich, who had been on the receiving end of banter from Vics fans for not playing in town when their home games were played at Winsford. 

The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

Lee Duckworth and Luke Goddard were appointed as the new team managers in November 2024. The club announced that from the 2025-26 season, they would be tenants of Runcorn Linnets. The move worked as the side reached the playoffs, defeating AFC Wolverhampton City before losing the final to rivals 1874 Northwich.

Northwich Victoria FC will play in the Midland League Premier Division in the 2026-27 season.

My visit

Saturday 1st November 1986

My only visit to either of Victoria's grounds in Northwich came on a bit of a road trip from Scarborough with my Cardiff City supporting friend, Gary Griffiths.

We had been to watch his beloved Bluebirds at Halifax Town the previous evening before staying overnight with some of his old university pals in Levenshulme on the outskirts of Manchester.

The next day we were heading to Sealand Road for the Third Division match between Chester and Walsall, but on route we'd already stopped at a locked Edgeley Park in Stockport in the hope of having a look inside and for my pal to add to his photo collection. We headed southwest to Northwich and parked on Water Street before walking up to the Drill Field.

It was thankfully open so that we could have a look inside. The Main Stand was a raised, seated cantilever structure with open terracing on either side. Opposite was the original Dane Bank cover in the centre of a large terracing. Both narrow ends had basic covers protecting the standing spectators.

The ground looked good enough to me for a club of Vics' size, especially when the new Dane Bank Stand provided cover for all standing fans a few years later. Just why did the directors decide to sell this lovely old town centre ground?

We departed and had a short drive across town, where we were fortunate to gain access to The Central Ground, the home of neighbours Witton Albion at the time, before they also opted for an out-of-town location.


Many thanks to fellow groundhopper and former Vics fan Andy Dakin for providing most of the photos on this page.

Lewisham Borough (Community)

Lewisham Borough (Community) FC is a non-league football club that was formed in 2003 following the merger of Moonshot AFC, Ten Em Bee and AFC Lewisham to serve the local community of Lewisham in south east London.

The club moved into the Ladywell Arena to play their home games as Borough were accepted into the Kent County Football League Division One West, which was won in their debut season, along with promotion to the Premier Division.

The Premier Division title was lifted in 2005-06, but promotion to the Kent League was denied because their home ground was deemed not up to the required grading. After several top ten finishes, Boro were accepted into the newly formed Kent Invicta League for the 2011-12 season.

A mid-table debut season was followed by several campaigns at the wrong end of the table. Despite finishing in last place in 2015-16, the club remained at the step six level in the renamed Southern Counties East League Division One.

The 2016-17 season also saw ‘The Sham’ finish bottom of the table but retain their league status going into 2017-18 under manager Ebun Thomas, who was replaced in September 2017 by joint player managers Sean Jarvie and Tim Moffatt.

They were replaced in September 2018 by Justin Fevrier, who in turn was succeeded by Owen Spence at the back end of 2019. Kevin Harris was appointed as team boss after one game of the 2021-22 campaign, but lasted just a short period before the appointment of Lloyd Davis.

Boro began to grow their crowds as a real community spirit engulfed the Ladywell Arena on matchdays. The team reached the playoffs in 2023-24, losing their semi-final tie to Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers.

Lewisham Borough (Community) FC will play in the Southern Counties East League Division One in the 2026-27 season.

My visit

Lewisham Borough (Community) 1 Sporting Club Thamesmead 5 (Monday 25th September 2017) Southern Counties East League Division One (att: 83)

I’d returned from a fabulous weekend in Liverpool, albeit nearly an hour late owing to overhead power cable troubles on the line near Watford. Any thoughts of going straight home were abandoned. I just hated wasting a night off work.

Instead, I took the Northern line from Euston to London Bridge before catching a suburban service to Ladywell in south east London, popping into the Ladywell Tavern for a decent enough pint of Laines Best Bitter before grabbing a bite to eat from the Village Fish Bar.

It appeared that the best route to the ground was along Malyons Road and then along some paths next to Ladywell Park to the ground. However, things didn’t quite work out like that after I failed to cross a bridge, which appeared to go nowhere.

What I hadn’t realised in the dark was that the railway line ran between where I was and Ladywell Arena. This meant I had to walk all the way through the new housing estate along Adenmore Road, where Catford Greyhound Stadium had stood until its closure in 2003.

The modern identikit housing stood on either side. I had a worrying moment when a well-built black youth seemed to take exception to the purely accidental walking towards each other. Most people smile or say sorry in such situations. The youth snarled something at me. My pace increased after that!

My detour meant walking all the way to Catford Bridge station and then back to the arena along Doggett Road. I was relieved to receive a friendly welcome at the little hut by the entrance, where I paid my £5 admission, which also included a programme.

A cup of tea cost a quid from the friendly lady in the clubhouse. I’d read on the excellent Non-League Matters Forum that previous visitors been impressed by the friendliness of the place and how the club fought against the odds on and off the pitch. I had to agree.

The teams came out from the buildings behind the curve at the entrance end, which had a slight overhang in wet weather. Someone using the fitness facilities further along gave a loud “Come on Boro” to encourage the home side.

I continued around to the railway side, which was the only one with real spectator accommodation. A small modern seated stand had been recently erected. A good gaggle of spectators had gathered; obviously preferring this proper football to the live match on Sky.

Boro started well with plenty of pace being offered down the near touchline from the diminutive young winger. They could have taken the lead had Jerome Richards not lost control of the ball when in on goal, allowing the Sporting keeper Simon Vanderhook to gather.

Sporting Club Thamesmead were formerly known as Seven Acres Sport and then Seven Acre & Sidcup before changing names as they moved into Bayliss Avenue in 2015, while Thamesmead Town departed to play games at Dartford.

They went ahead when Jamie Williams fired in from a narrow angle before Thamesmead custodian Vanderhook pulled off a magnificent stop before the follow-up was blocked on the line. I enjoyed the game and the atmosphere, which was accompanied by applause on occasions.

Sporting doubled their lead when the erratic referee Christopher Dodd, who overruled his linesmen’s offside decisions more than once, pointed to the spot following a clumsy challenge. Josh Patrick slotted home from twelve yards.

The score soon became 3-0 as Boro’s defence was once again found at sixes and sevens, allowing Merrick Simms to race clear before rounding goalkeeper Alexander Kibbey and scoring into an empty net.

At half time, a fellow ‘hopper’ Luke from Worthing, AKA ‘Sussexhopper’ stopped for a chat on his way to the clubhouse before returning for the second half, as we caught up on chat about our travels. Luke was heading to Scarborough the following weekend and was keen for tips.

The second half followed a similar pattern as the home side’s attacking flair was outdone by their defensive naivety. Thamesmead went on to miss lots of chances to increase the score throughout, as an overworked Kibbey did his best in damage limitation.

He wasn’t helped when Tim Moffatt’s awful pass let in Patrick, who rounded the goalie before netting. Another defensive howler later gave Patrick an easy opportunity to complete his hat trick, which he gobbled up. We quite enjoyed the match. It certainly wasn’t the worst-ever Step Six game we’d experienced, and there was a friendly vibe around the place. 

Boro got a late consolation as Moffatt volleyed in. The man in black had seemingly had enough as he blew for full time without hardly any stoppage time. It was really good to hear a home club official thank people for attending, as I went to use the facilities before heading away. The lady behind the bar also said goodbye. 

Little touches like that encourage my return and for me to keep an eye on that particular club’s results. On leaving, I headed back to Catford Bridge station for the London Bridge service, before rounding off my terrific long weekend with a few pints in the Kingsbury branch of Wetherspoons, hearing about Steve Barnes’s trip to South Wales.